Xiaomi created a lot of hype in the market last year with their first smartphone running a stock version of Android. Falling under Google’s revamped Android One programme, the Mi A1 got a lot of positive response from the consumers, acknowledged for bringing good hardware with slick software. Xiaomi also promised timely updates with the phone, with Oreo 8.0 before the end of 2017. and, they did deliver, rolling out a stable version of Oreo for the Mi A1.​The company officially rolled out Android 8.0 Oreo for the Mi A1 on 31st December 2017. The stable version is made available with the December 2017 security patch as of now, which should have been coming out with the January security patch. Since this is an Android One phone, all the new features associated with stock Android 8.0, such as Picture-in-Picture mode, notification dots and more, will be available straight off the go.

With the Oreo update, Xiaomi has made the Mi A1 one of the very few phones to get the latest version of Android. Their own flagship model Mi MIX 2 has only started seeing beta builds testing as of now in limited numbers in the Chinese market. The midrange smartphone segment hasn’t seen many smartphone models tasting Android Oreo, thus making the Mi A1 a better proposition for those looking to get the latest software on a budget.

The Mi A1 is built on a Snapdragon 625 chipset, which is backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. It sports a 12MP dual rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The phone was recently unveiled in a limited edition Red colour for the festive period.